Business Parks in Eindhoven: Complete Overview and Comparison

A city of estates

Eindhoven is built on industry. Where Philips light bulbs were once manufactured, there are now dozens of business parks that form the economic engine of the Brainport region. From high-tech campuses to no-nonsense industrial estates, the variation is enormous.

For entrepreneurs looking for a location, this variation is both a blessing and a challenge. How do you know which estate suits your business? What are the differences in appearance, accessibility, facilities, and costs?

In this article, I provide a complete overview of the most important business estates in and around Eindhoven. Not as a dry list, but as a practical guide for your location choice.

The industrial classics

Let’s start with the established estates that form the backbone of the Eindhoven business community.

De Hurk is perhaps the city's most famous industrial estate. At over 200 hectares, it is one of the largest and houses a mix of production, trade, and logistics. The infrastructure is aimed at functional working: wide roads, spacious plots, good accessibility for heavy goods vehicles. Rents are relatively modest – expect €40 to €60 per square metre for industrial space – and the atmosphere is down-to-earth and business-like. No frills, but effective.

Acht borders De Hurk and has a similar character. The estate is slightly smaller but offers the same functionality. The accessibility via the A2/A67 is excellent, which makes it popular with companies with a logistics component.

De Kade is an older estate close to the centre. The location is attractive for companies that need both industrial space and representativeness. The buildings are often somewhat more dated, but the location compensates for this.

The modern business parks

Another category is formed by the modern business parks, where appearance and facilities are a step higher.

Flight Forum is the flagship of this category. This business park near Eindhoven Airport combines offices with industrial space in a well-maintained environment. The architecture is modern, the maintenance is slick, and the facilities are complete – from restaurants to conference rooms. Rents are higher than on traditional industrial estates: €70 to €110 per square metre for offices, €50 to €70 for industrial space. But for many companies, the image justifies the cost.

Eindhoven Airport Business District adjoins this. The proximity to the airport makes it attractive for internationally oriented companies. The development is relatively recent, meaning the buildings are modern and sustainable.

The creative hotspots

And then there are the estates that are not primarily industrial, but instead focused on creative and tech companies.

Strijp-S is the icon of Eindhoven's transformation. The former Philips factories have been redeveloped into a vibrant mix of offices, studios, catering, and residential units. The industrial architecture captures the imagination – high ceilings, characteristic facades, a raw-yet-stylish character. Rents are the highest in the city: €100 to €170 per square metre for office space. But the energy and the network make it worth the investment for many creative and tech entrepreneurs.

Strijp-T is the somewhat quieter variant. Fewer catering outlets and public attractions, more focus on workspace. Prices are slightly lower than at Strijp-S, but the character is comparable.

High Tech Campus is in a category of its own. This is not a regular business park, but an integrated R&D environment with 160 companies and 12,000 researchers. The facilities are unprecedented: shared labs, conference centres, its own ecosystem of innovation. Rents are premium: €150 to €250 per square metre. This is for the absolute top tier of tech and innovation.

The regional alternatives

Not every company needs to be in Eindhoven itself. The surrounding municipalities offer attractive alternatives at lower costs.

Best is located on the A2 and offers excellent accessibility. The Breeven-Heide business park is popular with logistics and production companies. Prices are 20 to 30 per cent lower than comparable locations in Eindhoven.

Veldhoven borders Eindhoven and has a strong tech profile thanks to the proximity of ASML. Estates such as De Heibloem offer modern industrial space at reasonable rates.

Geldrop-Mierlo is an option for those seeking space without the hustle and bustle of the city. The Bijenkorf business park is well-connected and offers plots that can no longer be found in Eindhoven.

Son en Breugel and Nuenen are smaller municipalities with compact but high-quality business estates, attractive for locally oriented businesses.

The selection factors

How do you choose between all these options? The factors that carry weight are different for every company, but some universal considerations will help you on your way.

Accessibility depends on your business type. Logistics and production? Then connection to the road network is crucial. Office work? Then public transport links carry more weight.

Appearance counts if you receive clients. A visit to a stylish space at Strijp-S makes a different impression than a visit to a functional hall at De Hurk.

Costs must fit your budget, but also your value proposition. Saving on housing can be smart, but not if it detracts from your appeal to clients and talent.

Facilities vary enormously. Some estates have restaurants, sports facilities, and parking. Others have nothing. Depending on your needs, this makes a difference.

Making the choice

The best location is the location that suits who you are and where you want to go. A startup chooses differently than an established production company. A creative agency chooses differently than a logistics service provider.

Visit the estates before you decide. Walk around, feel the atmosphere, talk to other entrepreneurs located there. Figures tell you a lot, but not everything.

Read more about industrial space in Eindhoven? Or contact us directly for guidance in your search?